Utterly brilliant from start to finish
Wow!From start to finish this is a brilliant drama. The main characters have so much chemistry (even when she does want to stab him in the eye with a chopstick) and their support teams are fabulous with plenty of amusing moments to further elevate this story. Fabulous costumes, fight scenes and attention to detail round off this production.
Not gonna lie, there is plenty of blood and drama with believable bad guys and the odd death thrown in..
Had me hooked very quickly and binge watched the whole thing as I just couldn’t put it down.
Will definitely watch this again.
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Bit disappointed TBH
After the tragic ending of One and Only and the vow FL lead made at the end, I expected more from this sequel.I felt the chemistry was lacking most of the way through, there was no alluding to their past until she fell off the balcony (whatever happened to the bad guy? A vague comment from the parents…) and I get that Allen Ren may have signed a no kissing agreement but they didn’t even hug or show any form of physical affection either in public or private made this majorly frustrating and frankly unbelievable, they’re newly weds FFS.
The only upside was the lawyer who was great eye candy and a brilliant actor and the occasional bit of light relief.
If you want a slow burn romance that only really comes alive in the last few episodes then perhaps this is for you but I found the whole thing a bit dreary
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Not your typical romance plot, it’s even better
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this drama but after watching a really angsty number I needed something that was a little lighter.This story did not disappoint although at times I wanted to strangle most of the mothers who all seemed too selfish for words (and this includes Li JianJian’s who died from pregnancy complications) the plot, which was compelling, is all about loyalty, family values, forgiveness and love.
This drama tells the story of three kids, 2 boys and a girl and two men who become an unlikely family brought together by circumstance. A kindly widow and his daughter, a divorcee and his son and a boy abandoned by his single mother. They protect each other through thick and thin and despite situations beyond the control of the 2 lads that lead to the family being split up, they find their way back to each other and once the wounds created by their separation heal, their bonds become even stronger.
Tan Song Yun was incredible in this. I usually find her a bit mumsy but she epitomised her character, a pint sized trouble maker, perfectly. Whoever selected the other main actors and the supporting cast should be applauded as they were all incredible and brought real depth and breadth to their characters and the story as a whole. I’m already a great fan of Song Wei Long and He Rui Xian but I’ll be keeping an eye out for Zhang Xin Chen and An Ge as well.
The kids who played the younger versions of the 3 pseudo siblings were incredible. They’ll all be one to watch as they grow up. If they keep in the industry they’ll be superstars.
I only really docked a point for the soundtrack because I never really noticed it - was too subtle most of the time - but perhaps that is the job of background music.
Would I watch this again? Absolutely
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Not really a love story, more how a man’s loyalties lead to his destruction
I found this c drama a bit frustrating as the only person who seemed to stick to the rules was the ML.The whole royal family seemed oblivious to how respectful the ML was and make him out to be a disloyal, manipulative and conniving liar and after a while this frustrated the heck out of me.
His ending is so exasperating as no one with any real power could see him for who he really was.
I found the FL a bit wishy washy and about the only thing she did to stand up for herself was her final act.
Definitely not going to watch this again
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Cute little BL
I picked up this drama as I enjoyed the chemistry of Fort Thitipong and Peat Wasuthorn when they acted opposite each other in Love in the Air, another production from the Me and Y stable.The drama revolves round Rak a young writer suffering from writers block and Mut, a local on the island he is shipped off to by his editing team. Initially Rak is frustrated by Mut’s happy go lucky attitude but over time, and after a night in bed together, sees something that makes him agree to taking Mut back to Bangkok with him as a paid companion.
The plot itself is fairly simple as Rak battles with ancient history and a scumbag, manipulating father that should (IMO) be behind bars and Mut who is there to pick him up and put him back together again. The acting between the two male leads is sizzling and believable as Mut is the perfect antidote to Rak’s selfish and standoffish personality. Over time Mut manages to heal Rak but can he push past the huge impenetrable walls the writer has erected to protect his heart.
Mook is Rak’s secretary and is an extremely annoying and whiny character for most of the series and many viewers posted that they fast forwarded through the scenes with her in them. She is secretly in love with P’Vie, an established actress and the BFF of Rak, who asks Mook to become a pretend girlfriend in order to squash malicious rumours about her promiscuity. To be honest, this sub plot does little to enhance the overall drama and if you decided to skip through their scenes you wouldn’t be missing much. I watched Aya Orapan Phongmaykin (who plays Mook) in Wedding Plan and the two characters she plays are poles apart so I think her cringy character is the director’s choice not hers. Chanya Amarit Duval hasn’t been in much but plays P’Vie’s slightly world weary and jaded personality really well.
The stand out performance for me was Nutthacha Padovan who plays Rak’s niece. She nailed the part of an 13 (?) year old perfectly and there was never a moment of wooden acting from her.
I marked the review rating down slightly as I felt the GL sub plot was a bit pointless and because the music was extremely meh.
Me and Y seem to enjoy linking their productions together- Rak for example, seems to be the author of The Boy Next World amongst others and BossNoeul and Forth Kashane Pichetsopon also pop up in guest and support roles.
Would I watch this again? No as there is so much else I want to watch.
Ps the follow on series ties up a couple of loose ends but doesn’t really add much to the overall story, so for me it was a little pointless
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Great little BL series with a nod to Love in the Air.
Make sure to watch the uncut version on iQIYIIf you’re wondering where the A Boy Next World shorts on YouTube of Sky and Pai’s wedding and Payu and Rain’s proposal come from then look no further. However, if you think this is a continuation of their stories you’ll be disappointed as they only have cameo roles in this drama.
This is actually a love story about Lom and Nuea. Nuea, a wedding planner, spots Lom when eating at MacDonalds and is immediately smitten. He is also the brains behind Sky and Pai nuptials and Lom who is a guest at the wedding notices him on the day working his magic and is also immediately smitten.
As a result of watching Nuea in action Lom then asks him to plan his wedding to his long term girlfriend Jiwa. However, things are not as they seem and the two men start to develop real feelings for each other and eventually Nuea finds out that he’s been organising a fake wedding. Eventually though they get their happy ending (the wedding is gorgeous btw) and this is a feel good romance flick during which there are plenty of amusing (for example the b*tch fight between the two mothers when things go south on the morning of the fake wedding is priceless), sad, frustrating and happy moments as they navigate their way to happiness. Lom’s rather lovely physique is also displayed to maximum effect as we see him in the gym, water skiing and lumping boxes round at the farm as well as topless with Nuea who despite his more slender frame. is also good on the eyes.
Interestingly, the actors who played Wim and Jin in A Boy Next World also appear in this drama and although they are also in a relationship together they play different unrelated characters called Ryu and Sun which fans of the ABNW series will probably find rather cute (and which no doubt adds to the gossip surrounding these actors).
The chemistry between the lead male actors is excellent and believable but that of the female actresses’ is a little less believable and slightly stilted especially when they’re behind closed doors or involved in kissing scenes so as a result I’ve knocked points off the acting/cast category. Several of the supporting actors are really good and they add depth to the story.
Would I watch this again? Probably not but it is a cute nod to A Boy Next World.
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Fabulous story with great humour but ending was just too meh
The cast, acting, costumes, production values and fight scenes were excellent in this well written and often very funny gem of a drama.I loved watching Liu Xue Yi as the male lead Yuan Zhong and Tiffany Tang as the female lead, Ji Tan Yin. They played their parts brilliantly and brought lots of humour to the first 3/4 of the drama. From the get go, they had chemistry as their relationship developed from High Priest and pesky handmaiden who won’t leave him alone to two people very much in love. The other actors were also very well cast and I really enjoyed them all as they added humour. After all, who doesn’t love a very unpredictable, gold guzzling 4 year old Spirit Warrior or an artist who hits on the FL much to the disgust of the very jealous ML?
Unfortunately though I thought the ending was too bitty so I marked the drama down because of it - my understanding is that the fault lies with IQIYI who cut the last few episodes. Did Mei Shan really only get to be a God for one day, if so why not just let him become part of the tapestry? Why didn’t the Thunder Gods get involved at the end of the conflict and reward the heroes and rescue the fallen? Did Yuan Zhong take up the invite to become a God? Was the ladder permanently fixed?
All in all a lovely watch but I’m not sure I want to watch anything else that Liu Xue Yi has been in as this isn’t the first time his love interest dies and makes me blub like a complete saddo.
Would I watch it again? If I wanted a light hearted, feel good drama (ok, the ending left a lot to be desired) then absolutely
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Came for Liu Yuning, fell in love with the whole cast
I started watching this for Liu Yuning but quickly the rest of the cast enchanted me too. However, if you’re looking for a story with a happy ending perhaps this one is not for you as I cried through the last few episodes and the final scene left me so so sad.The story revolves around a stupid, selfish Emperor who falsely condemns a group of warriors who die while protecting him. He gets kidnapped by an enemy kingdom and a retired general / head of one of 6 spy divisions, played by Yuning, leads a team tasked with rescuing him. This general takes up the challenge as he is determined to clear the names of the fallen warriors all of whom were personally known to him and his men.
The task force sent to bring the emperor home is made up of a shy and pathetic Princess disguised as a prince, an assassin from the enemy country bent on revenge against the people that killed her benefactor and men from the country’s 6 spy divisions many of whom all have their own reasons for volunteering.
This story has it all: action, romance, plot twists, fantastic character growth (the princess grows a backbone of steel), love, bonds of friendship and trust.
Liu Yuning’s character Ning Yuan Zhou is dynamic, funny, strong, vulnerable, you name it, he portrays it really well. Liu Shi Shi is brilliant as the kick ass, strong female lead Ren Xin and she is everything a strong female assassin should be wrapped up in a complex and sometimes vulnerable conundrum.
The other stand out performances of this series for me were He Lan Dou who plays Princess Yan who morphs from a pathetic, coddled and innocent young girl into a fearless woman of substance and Chen You Wei who played Yuan Lu a happy go lucky young lad with a life limiting illness.
The rest of the cast are incredibly well chosen and they provide humour and their own back stories and character development that helps to bring this story to life.
Would I watch it again? Absolutely
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Cute and great binge watch drama
This is the first short that I’ve seen and I found it to be the perfect antidote to a much heavier standard format drama (with an angst ridden plot line).The characters were believable and fell in love slowly and naturally and the ending was perfect.
My only complaint was that the director didn’t change the actors’ costumes so one minute the sister is at a party wearing this incredible white trouser suit and the next day she’s shopping with the FL in the same outfit. Similar situation with the FL and ML too - there’s one blouse that she wears that you’re going to see way too often and a suit he practically lives in at one point. That said, there’s nothing else that I could really criticise about this drama.
The acting was great - the male lead went from sensible and focused one moment to super cute (with a genuine swoon worthy crooked grin) or dominant in a heartbeat and the FL morphed from a shy young adult into a confident woman through the course of the plot line.
Would I watch it again? Absolutely
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Lots to love and hate about this drama
The twist, windy, curveball filled plot follows two characters who seem to love and hate each other with equal passion yet the plot only starts to make any sense once the FL (Hua Ru Yue, AKA the Grandmaster of the Yinlian Sect AKA immortal goddess Siling) steps out from behind her poor quality junior cultivator disguise (Li Qing Yue) and the viewer realises they’ve met before and that there is a huge amount of baggage between them.Her love interest / arch nemesis Bai Juisi ( AKA Immortal Lord of Dacheng) knows who she is even disguised as the helpless yet adorably naive Li Qing Yue and eventually forces her to admit who she really is. Once the truth is out, this sets the storyline for several of the characters who love or hate her depending on how they first met her, mostly these views never change.
The supporting actors are brilliant and there are some fantastic and often funny one liners from them (especially in the beginning when half of the Yinlian Sect head honchos can’t recall Bai Lu’s character and even her master has almost no idea who she is!).
What to love: phenomenal acting from every member of the cast, beautiful costumes with great production values and excellent choreographed fight scenes. The emotions that the characters experience are so raw, honest and believable. There is excellent attention to detail in terms of what supporting cast are up to when the main characters in a scene are doing their thing. For example, ML turns into a petulant child that can be seen kicking furniture with boredom as the ‘grown ups’ discuss how to deal with the baddie!
What to get frustrated about: The story is told piece meal, flitting back and forth between present day and flashbacks which keeps the viewer guessing though at times this does tend to confuse somewhat until more of the puzzle pieces emerge. Additionally, although everything turns out well in the end the final scenes are a little confusing and the viewer has to rack their brains to understand the refences made by Hua Ru Yue and put them into context. Also at the end the baddie gets a complete change of fate and therefore has no need to turn evil but this absolute 180 doesn’t make sense as there should have been some sort of butterfly effect and there isn’t..
Overall a great watch and the music is wonderful. Would I watch it again? Absolutely, even if just for Joseph Zeng’ puppy dog eyes 😍
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Not to be missed, 10/10 all the way
My absolute favourite drama ever.From the very beginning of the opening scenes, I’ve cackled with laughter and enjoyed every part of the journey of the leads and second leads and their bonkers family.
Don’t get me wrong there are some really tearjerk moments amongst the laughter but this only adds to the whole story.
Beautiful writing, fabulous acting and brilliant all round entertainment. 😍😍😍
Oh, and I need an alpaca in my life after watching this!
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Lots of epic scenes and a barrage of emotion
I binge watched this but due to not having a subscription to Youku many of the scenes (often pivotal) were missing so I’ve had to scrabble around on YouTube to fill in some (but sadly not all) of the gaps. It would probably pay to subscribe to get the complete picture.The story while complex and brilliant is sometimes frustrating when the main characters put themselves in harm’s way without proper backup.
As the chapters pass the main characters grow and develop beautifully so that when some of them die, it is both heartbreaking and memorable. The lad who plays Shrimp is an incredible actor and I hope he goes on to other things.
The ending was open so that although we know ML is dying, we do not know exactly what happened. Did he really leave to die alone? Difficult to say although his SiC is absent from the last few scenes. I hope he didn’t as she begged him not to but that’s just my take on things.
Cannot fault any of the acting but as usual Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning were exemplary and had incredible chemistry.
Would I watch this again? Absolutely, provided I could get the complete storyline with every scene included
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Should be called manipulative mother takes over
Very surprised by this drama as most things with Xu Kai and Yang Zi in are fabulous but this was very disappointing.Plot was very thin and if her mother had been in my life I would have excommunicated her in about chapter 6. Who arranges an engagement party behind their daughter’s back to a man she broke up with months before and is surprised when it does down about as well as a pork pie in a synagogue.
The love story between FL and ML is flimsy at best although both Xu Kai and Yang Zi act their socks off, especially in the sadder parts of this story when some of the characters die.
That said most of the actors and their acting skills are believable and there are a few amusing moments (mainly at the expense of Xu Kai) even though the plot is terrible.
Wouldn’t bother again, sadly
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Boy, what a ride of emotions
I sobbed my way through this from about half way through!This is a powerful story of love, honour and sacrifice that had me hooked from early on. Although the main characters took a while to warm up, by the end you’ll be rooting for them so much.
Set across two main plot lines (that involve the same characters) over a long period of time, it gets interesting in the second half as the FL gains snippets of information from what happened earlier in her life.
ML plays 2 distinct characters and it takes a while for the truth to be uncovered but when it is, boy will the tears start again.
Been a while since I watched this and I think it may be time to watch it again
UPDATE:
Absolutely my favourite c drama ever. This is the second time of watching it and it was even better than the first time. It was the first c drama I ever came across and I only watched it a second time as I wondered if my lingering positive feelings were OTT - first drama rose coloured spectacles and all that - they weren’t. From start to finish this was breathtaking, silly, funny, frustrating, anger inducing, poignant and powerful. Everyone should watch this at least once ❤😍😍
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A believable BL story that will have you rooting for the main characters
Not sure how I stumbled upon this drama but I’m glad I stayed to the end because the characters were so believable and the plot was (mainly) really good.This is, simply put, a story about redemption, trust and love.
The story starts out as simple revenge where the innocent and naive male protagonist (Wu Suowei) is dumped by his gold digger of a girlfriend (Yue Yue) who is dissatisfied by his financial status. She then goes hunting for a wealthy boyfriend and hones in on Chi Cheng the jaded, bored gay son of a wealthy chairman who is being pressured into marriage by his unsuspecting parents. Wu Suowei decides to break her heart by pretending to be interested in Chi Cheng in the hopes of splitting them up and goes from a straight man to a man who “I don’t know if I like men or not, but I like you”. The story not only covers these two men, but another couple Jiang Xiao Shuai (Wu Suowei’s best friend) and Guo Chengyu (Chi Chang’s bestie) and their developing relationship.
There are plot twists and turns, funny bits, sad bits as well as a few more characters who try to muddy the waters between Wu Suowei and Chi Cheng. Their developing feelings and reactions to these situations all add honesty and credibility to both this story and the characters they portray.
The only part of the plot that I found ludicrous was when Chi Chang’s father decided to kidnap Wu Suowei. The ensuing scenes may have made more sense in the mother tongue but certainly were of little value to the overall plot when google translate ( or whatever software they used - it clearly wasn’t translated by a human) got involved. I deducted points for this bizarre chapter, although I’m guessing the father was trying to persuade Wu Suowei to stay away from his son.
Would I watch this again? Absolutely but with headphones on and no one else around to see the seriously steamy ‘sex’ scenes. Kudos to the straight actors for making it all so believable.
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